(a)        Inpatient chemical dependency or substance abuse facilities that provide services exclusively to inmates of the Department of Adult Correction or offenders under the supervision of the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry of the Department of Adult Correction shall be exempt from licensure by the Department of Health and Human Services under Chapter 122C of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. If an inpatient chemical dependency or substance abuse facility provides services both to inmates or offenders under supervision and to members of the general public, the portion of the facility that serves inmates or offenders under supervision shall be exempt from licensure.

(b)        Any person who contracts to provide inpatient chemical dependency or substance abuse services to inmates of the Department of Adult Correction or to offenders under the supervision of the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry of the Department of Adult Correction may construct and operate a new chemical dependency or substance abuse facility for that purpose without first obtaining a certificate of need from the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to Article 9 of Chapter 131E of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. However, a new facility or addition developed for that purpose without a certificate of need shall not be licensed pursuant to Chapter 122C of the N.C. Gen. Stat. and shall not admit anyone other than inmates unless the owner or operator first obtains a certificate of need. ?(2001-424, s. 25.19(a); 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2017-186, s. 2(jjjjjjj); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(eeee).)